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D16

Non-Billable (Header)

Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage

Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)

What This Code Means

D16 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage. D16 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors (d10-d36).

Header codes like D16 cannot be reported on claims directly — they organize child codes that share clinical context but the actual diagnosis must be coded to the highest level of specificity supported by the documentation. Coders should look at D16's child codes and select the one that matches the patient's documented presentation, since payers reject header codes submitted as the primary diagnosis. For risk adjustment workflows, header codes never contribute to a Medicare Advantage member's RAF score on their own; only billable child codes that happen to map to a payment HCC affect risk-adjusted plan payments.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for D16 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Excludes 1 — Do NOT code together

  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of ear (D21.0)
  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of eyelid (D21.0)
  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of larynx (D14.1)
  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of nose (D14.0)
  • benign neoplasm of synovia (D21.-)

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

D16Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage
D16Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage

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